$17,000 rewards offered in two Berkeley slayings

BERKELEY -- The city and Bay Area Crime Stoppers are offering two $17,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects in two recent homicides.

A reward is being offered in the Oct. 7 beating death of a 64-year-old homeless man named Mark Stannard, who also was known as Cowboy, police said. Police found him in the bushes near 800 Harrison Street by the Berkeley Skate Park.

Following his death the police and the Alameda County Coroner's Bureau determined he died as the result of a felony assault.

A second $17,000 reward is being offered in the Dec. 4 murder of 50-year-old Paula Mullins who was shot while riding her bike in the 2700 block of Sacramento Street just outside the fence of Longfellow Middle School. Mullins died just about 100 feet from the front door of her apartment.

Anyone with information about the deaths of either victim can call the Berkeley police homicide department at 510-981-5741 or Bay Area Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.